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Fayose submits defence, CJ names probe panel members

EMBATTLED Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State submitted, yesterday, his written defence to the allegations levelled at him by the state legislature in its Notice of Impeachment served on him September 29.

ADO-EKITI—EMBATTLED Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti State submitted, yesterday, his written defence to the allegations levelled at him by the state legislature in its Notice of Impeachment served on him September 29.

Meanwhile, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Sunday Ehindero, confirmed yesterday that the police were investigating the governor for murder.
Mr Ehindero who prayed the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja to turn down a request for an order compelling him to investigate the governor said, the Police authorities were already investigating all those believed to have been involved in the murder of Mr Tunde Omojola on May 28, 2005.

The Inspector-General of Police contended that, “there has never been a failure or refusal by him to investigate the murder of Tunde Omojola. It is never the practice in the Police Force to treat complaints of murder with levity.”
In fact, the police boss said between 2005 and now, two separate teams of detectives had been set up to inquire into the murder with a view to unravelling the circumstances surrounding the incident.

The governor’s written defence came 24 hours to the inauguration of the panel to probe the allegations of gross misconduct levelled at him and his deputy by 24 of the 26 members of the state House of Assembly.

Fayose, who was accompanied to the House by his deputy, Mrs Olujimi and some of his aides submitted the letter to the Deputy Clerk of the House, Mr. Tunde Famoyegun, at about 1145 a.m.

The Deputy, Mrs Olujimi spoke first, saying she decided to follow her boss for the submission of the letter since she too was indicted by the lawmakers, adding that she still stood with her boss despite their travails.

The governor said history was being made in the state as it was the first time a governor and his deputy would face impeachment at the same time.
“I am a man of destiny. I have decided to face the challenges of life like any other man. This is the first time in the history of this country that the governor and his deputy would face the threat of removal from office. But as a man who believes in God and trusts in God, I have decided to leave my fate in the hands of my Creator,” he said.

He said his reply contained all the legislators wanted to know on the matter, saying he would respect and abide by the verdict of the panel. “My reply explains all they wish to know about the allegations. I will not be a judge in my own case. I will respect and abide by the decision of the panel. My future and that of the state are in the hands of God,” he said. The governor who maintained that he was innocent of all the allegations levelled at him by the legislators, said he would come out of the travails unbowed and asked his supporters to be calm and refuse to stage any open demonstration.

Inspector General on murder allegation

The Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ehindero, said between 2005 and now, two separate teams of detectives had been set up to inquire into the murder of Mr Omojola with a view to unravelling the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Although he said the first inquisition commenced by a team of crack detectives headed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 8, was not conclusive, he said another team of police had swung into the matter on his order.
He further told the court that the investigation was on-going and that there could be no sense in compelling him to do his constitutional duties when he had not failed in doing same in any way.

Mr Ehindero who reacted to the request by the aggrieved parents of Tunde Omojola to compel him to investigate the murder of their son, however, did not give detail of when the new team of investigators would commence the inquiry neither did he disclose members of the Nigeria Police Force serving on the team.
This is germane in view of the fact that the police boss, had, less than two weeks ago, requested the court to grant him a short adjournment with a view to finding out the outcome of the investigation into the murder by a team of policemen headed by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 8.
The parents of the late Tunde Omojola had brought the mandamus application before the Federal High Court to compel Ehindero to perform his constitutional duty of investigating and prosecuting the killers of their son.

Already, Justice Binta Murtala Nyarko of the High Court has granted leave to them to commence the mandamus action against the Inspector-General of Police.
Lagos lawyer, Mr Femi Falana, is prosecuting the case on their behalf. He is of the view that notwithstanding the constitutional immunity shielding Governor Fayose, a serving governor could be prosecuted before the Code of Conduct Tribunal if the IGP would perform his constitutional duty of investigating the case and refer the matter to the Conduct Bureau\Tribunal.
The Code of Conduct Bureau has been named as defendant in the case.